The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has shut the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) runway in Ikeja, Lagos State for eight weeks to carry out maintenance work.
In a tweet from its official handle on Monday, the Authority said: “This is to notify the public that runway 18R/36L of the Murtala Muhammed Int’l Airport, Lagos has been closed for 8 weeks for Maintenance work to carried out. Taxi way B-18L will be used for all flight operations.”
The agency called for public understanding, stressing it remained committed to safety, security and comfort.
In July 2022, FAAN shut down runways 18L and 36R to install airfield ground lighting system.
The Authority said the installations would commence on July 8, 2022 and was to be completed in 90 days.
It assured domestic airlines that normal flight operations would not be affected by the installations.
Two weeks after the runway was closed last year, the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), wrote to FAAN, asking for an urgent review of the closure.
AON’s letter, dated July 15, signed by Abdulmunaf Yunusa, its president, said the closure was taking a toll on its members’ operations as more costs had been incurred.
However, four months after its closure, FAAN reopened it, saying that with the installation of the new lighting system, the runway was opened for 24 hours flight services.
“Domestic runway 18L/36R completed and open for 24 hours flight operations, installation of CAT Ill airfield ground lighting systems completed at Murtala Muhammed International Airport Lagos. Today 11 November 2022,” FAAN said.